Applying for a job twice?

[lukemg]

I have had this in the past and when a second agent has phoned I say look, I think another agency has sent in my details but I am not sure if they have, can you check ? Usually they then make a call to the client to enquire if I have been submitted and react accordingly (most times I had already been submitted, once I had not). This is more honest, has the same result and doesn't leave the agents in a mess/annoy the client.

[Wanderer]

Is it bad to send my CV independently to Big Bank ?

Option A: The agency get your CV they MAY send it to the bank and the bank MAY look at it and if they like it they MAY be willing to enter into negotiations with the agency (most likely NOT on their PSL) who will want a fat cut of the money and they MAY come to some arrangement. You will be unaware of all this happening.

Option B: You send your CV to the bank directly then they WILL definately get it and quite likely take a few minutes to look at it too.

Which option do you choose? It's a no brainer to me. If the bank are advertising the job themselves then it's obvious that they are willing to deal direct so why on earth would you (or the bank) want to involve some random agency in the deal? What value do the agency add? None, they just take their cut out of the money that is available to pay the contractor. Cut the agency right out of the deal if at all possible by going direct.

Once you have an offer, you may find that the client requires that you work through an agency and they will have a preferred suppliers list (PSL) of agencies which take a minimal cut <10% in exchange for factoring your invoices and dealing with the contractual stuff and contractor management for them.

Say NOTHING to the agency if you get the gig. DON'T tell any agency where you are working or who you have applied to, it's none of their business and there is no point talking to them unless you are looking for work. If you want a job and they are offering a job then they are your bestest friends, other than that don't talk to them. If you tell the agency you applied to that you are working for the bank, (gone direct or through another agency) then you are going to cause a big tulip storm as they willl try and squeeze their bit of money out of they deal by claiming you were exclusive with them or some such nonsense.